85°
Sunny
12%
78
Cameron County, TX · Gulf of Mexico
Boca Chica Beach
End of State Hwy 4, Brownsville, TX 78521
A wild, undeveloped Gulf beach at the southernmost tip of Texas, where State Highway 4 dead-ends into the sand just north of the Rio Grande. The beach sits next door to SpaceX's Starbase launch facility, so access is closed during licensed launch and test windows (text BEACH to 1-866-513-3475 for status).
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
85°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Sunny, with a high near 85. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 81. Southeast wind 12 to 15 mph.
Weather
- 85°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Safety
- UV 11 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
71 /100
great
71 Sunbathe
81 Walk
63 Fish
79 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.6 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
85°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind
10 to 15 mph
SE
Rain
12%
Today
UV Peak
11 Extreme
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~18m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
85°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
—
Next Low Tide
7:52 PM
-1.1 ft · in 4.6h
Water Quality
Clean
10 cfu/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 6mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (GMZ130)
The BRO office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- TXZ451 Kenedy Island-Willacy Island-Cameron Island — South Padre Island and Boca Chica n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
7:44 AM
Sunset
9:23 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:03 AM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 7:52 PM | Low | -1.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:58 AM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 8:48 PM | Low | -1.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 7:50 AM | High | 1.5 ft |
| 9:44 PM | Low | -1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 8:34 AM | High | 1.4 ft |
| 10:39 PM | Low | -0.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 8:59 AM | High | 1.2 ft |
| 11:32 PM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 8:53 AM | High | 1.1 ft |
| 1:39 PM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 4:33 PM | High | 0.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:23 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 8:07 AM | High | 0.9 ft |
| 1:58 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 6:32 PM | High | 0.8 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8779749, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
85°
Mostly Sunny
3%
80
85°
Mostly Sunny
2%
81
85°
Partly Sunny
12%
78
87°
Mostly Sunny
7%
78
87°
Mostly Sunny
8%
77
87°
Mostly Sunny
5%
79
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 11 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 10 to 15 mph wind
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Major
11:20 PM - 1:20 AM
Minor
5:10 AM - 6:10 AM
Major
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Free; drive directly onto the sand at the end of TX-4.
Dogs
Dogs allowed on leash; standard Cameron County beach rules apply.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
End of State Hwy 4, Brownsville, TX 78521
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Boca Chica Beach today?
Boca Chica Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Boca Chica Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed on leash; standard Cameron County beach rules apply.
Is there an entry fee at Boca Chica Beach?
Entry to Boca Chica Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Boca Chica Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at Boca Chica Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Boca Chica Beach?
Amenities at Boca Chica Beach include beach driving, surf fishing.
When is the water warmest at Boca Chica Beach?
The Gulf of Mexico is bathwater-warm by mid-summer — 84-88°F is typical from July through September on the FL Gulf, TX coast, and AL/MS coast. Swimming comfortable from April through October on most of the Gulf.
Where is Boca Chica Beach located?
Boca Chica Beach is in Cameron County, TX, at End of State Hwy 4, Brownsville, TX 78521.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS